The Sixth Integrated Test Flight (IFT 6): Starship's Record-Breaking Turnaround [19.11.24; 22:00 UTC]

about 1 month ago (Edited)

The sixth flight of SpaceX's Starship program came much sooner than many expected. Ship 31 and Booster 13—aka palindrome flight 3113—are ready for launch. This will mark the final flight of Starship Version 1, making it a pivotal moment in the Starship development timeline.

Key Objectives for IFT 6

Relighting a Raptor Engine During Coast Phase: Testing in-space engine reignition is critical for interplanetary missions.
Steeper Reentry Angle: This will simulate more challenging reentry conditions, necessary for returning from deep space.
Thermal Protection Testing: Engineers aim to validate and stress-test thermal protection systems under higher thermal loads. In previous flights, forward flaps sustained burn-through damage.

IFT Timeline

Name	Date	Days Elapsed
IFT 1	20.04.2023
IFT 2	18.11.2023	212
IFT 3	14.03.2024	117
IFT 4	06.06.2024	84
IFT 5	13.10.2024	129
IFT 6	19.11.2024	37

SpaceX has achieved its fastest turnaround yet for an integrated test flight: 37 days, significantly surpassing the previous record of 84 days between IFT 3 and IFT 4.

Regulatory Clearance

SpaceX received its FAA license for a second flight with similar trajectories following the successful IFT 5 launch.

Launch Details

Flights typically occur early in the morning, but this time, IFT 6 will happen during daylight hours to enable better observation of Ship 31's landing in the Indian Ocean.

Recovery Efforts

The team at @SpaceOffshore has been closely tracking recovery vessels near Australia that are expected to support operations.
https://x.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1858789579454652800

Starship Data

Component	Specifications
Full Stack
Height:	120 m
Diameter:	9 m
Payload Capacity:	100–150 t (fully reusable)
Starship Spacecraft
Height:	50 m
Diameter:	9 m
Super Heavy Booster
Height:	69 m
Diameter:	9 m

Additional Insights

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell revealed at the Baron Capital conference (source)
https://x.com/xdNiBoR/status/1857866735698792646
that she envisions 400 Starship launches within the next 4 years. This ambitious schedule includes substituting Starship flights for Falcon missions, including crew missions to the ISS.